Prenatal Testing |
Test, test, n. An Examination; means of trial; a standard;. - vt. To put to trial; to prove; to examine; to attest.
While the practice of prenatal visits date back several decades, it has not always been common practice. Expecting mothers (and fathers) can expect to visit their doctor on a monthly basis until close to delivery, where the visits will increase to bi-monthly and finally weekly. Good prenatal care can have a great impact on the mother and her growing baby. Regular visits to her doctor or by her midwife can help to identify possible problems so treatment can be started as soon as necessary.
While most pregnancies go along with few if any problems there are some routine tests at various stages of the pregnancy. For some expecting mothers more extensive tests are necessary.
| Test | Performed | Procedure & Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Urine Sample | Every Visit | A treated stick is dipped in urine specimine to test for sugar (glucose), high levels can indicate hypergycemia and warrent further testing. |
| Blood Pressure | Every Visit | Standard blood pressure testing equipment is used to detect sudden rises in pressure. The stress of the prenatal exam can cause a slight rise in some patients, but high blood pressure can indicate preeclampsia and other problems. |
| Doppler Fetal Heartbeat | after week 14 | A hand held instrument is used with jelly to find the babies heart beat. It amplifies the babies heartbeat so that the doctor can listen for rythms and to assess that the heart is functioning well. |
| Gestational Diabetes Testing | week 24-28 | A series of blood samples are taken before and after the expecting mother drinks a special glucose drink. Abnormal levels can indicate inadequate insulin, the presence of gestational diabetes and a plan of action to deal with the condition during the remainder of the pregnancy. |
| Group B Streptococcus | week 26-28 | A simple vaginal/cervix swab to be examined for strep B. If positive the mother is treated before delivery (usually during labour) to prevent the infection being transferred to the baby at delivery. |
| Maternal Serum Alphafetoprotein | weeks 15-20 | A blood test to used to analyse the levels of alpha fetoproten. High/Low levels can indicate many things. Consulting a geneticist and having further tests may be necessary. |
| Ultrasound Scan | week 16 (or later) | Early scans require the mom to drink enough water to allow for clear visablity of the womb. A small amount of jelly is used with the hand-held transducer and rolled across the mothers stomach. This test will assess the condition of the placenta, and look closely at many parts of the baby. |
| Amniocentisis | week 14-18+ | An ultrasound scan is used to detect the position of the baby and placenta. A needle (hollow) is inserted into the womb through the abdomen to obtain a sample of the fluid that is surrounding the baby. This sample contains the cells that will be tested for abnormalities. The test results take up to 4 weeks. The results will be presented by the doctor and further counselling may be required if the results are not favourable. |
| Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) | week 6-8 | A sample of the tissue that will later develop into the placenta is taken and tested for possible abnormalities. The results can take between 2-4 weeks. Further testing could be necessary. |
| Fetal Echo Cardiogram | 18-20 weeks | This test is similar to an ultrasound except it is done by a technician who specializes in the human heart and its funtion. The test will help to reveal any problems with the babies heart structure and function. |
This information is for educational purposes only. Please consult your doctor if you have questions about your prenatal care and the tests you will undergo.
References: Expecting, A Pregnancy Guide, The Canadian Medical Association, Complete Book of Mother & Baby Care, What to Expect When You're Expecting.
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hannah | August 15, 2009 at 8:41 pm - §
i would like looking family doctor for my self and for my child in the furture . can you give any idea or adress of doctor who would for me